I also have both bags and have tested them out at home. IMO the CTB is definitely better designed than the GR2 but when the bag is fully loaded up, i find the GR2 much more comfortable. at least solely using the shoulder straps. I find the CTB starts to cut into my shoulders after a bit of wear, which sucks. The organization on the CTB is better but comfort is king IMO.
Good to know. I've carried the CTB a few times now, and really loaded up a couple of those, and I think it's been really comfortable, but I haven't carried it super long distance.
I’ve had the CTB 35L since July and haven’t used it…was almost going to sell it. In fact; however, I’ve watched this video about x10 times, and I have decided to keep it. Gave my GR2 40L to my son…he loves that bag! The CTB 35L is a gem 💎
Having both GORUCK and Evergoods products… Evergoods is a far more thought out product not to mention refined. Goruck while being over built is a very dated concept, I rarely use my GR1 because the lack of organization and dedicated volume in the pouches. BUT, what I use it or is a range bag… which is perfect for that.
Thanks for the comparison! With the 3 cube layout you used, is there still volume left in the mesh pocket of the ctb35 or does it become basically flat? Also how does the carry feel between these? I know the CTB is lighter but the straps don’t seem as robust as the gr2.
Hi! Not the OP, but I've owned the GR2 and now own the CTB35. One thing that Evergoods absolutely nailed is independent volume in their pockets (as the OP pointed out in his video). So even when parts of the CTB35 are stuffed, the rest of the pockets are still usable. The GR2 is the exact opposite as once you pack it out most of the pockets become useless. As far as comfort, the CTB35 is comfortable, but not as comfortable as the GR2, in my opinion. If you're deciding on both it depends on your planned use. If you're going to be doing more rugged trips with heavier weight, I'd probably go GR2. If you're going to be doing more leisure travel through airplanes, cars, trains, etc, I'd definitely go with the CTB35.
Hey! The interior mesh pocket in the panel on the CTB shares interior volume with the main compartment. I didn't specifically test it out, but I'd really think when the main compartment is stuffed, there wouldn't be much capacity in the mesh pocket. Much like the panel pockets on the GR2. On carry comfort, I haven't spent enough time with the CTB to say with certainty, but the CTB back panel is nicely padded and more breathable. The overall harness is a little more ergonomic. The shoulder straps are curved and made of a softer material and filled with a softer foam than the GR2. The GR2's back panel is pretty rigid and without much padding and little breathability. Having the sternum strap on the CTB will be really nice, but one can be added to the GR2, though I never did. I had a sternum strap on my GR1 and that made a huge difference for heavy carries. Overall, the GORUCK packs are incredibly durable and carry like utility bags. The CTB carries more like a backpacking pack (especially with the built-in hip belt) than the GR2. It's an exchange of some softer (but still very durable) materials for comfort/ergos over the GR2. I don't think the carry capability is sacrificed. Neither are as capable of long distance carry as good as a dedicated backpacking pack. But these are more on the luggage/utility end of the spectrum. Hope that helps.
I also have both bags and have tested them out at home. IMO the CTB is definitely better designed than the GR2 but when the bag is fully loaded up, i find the GR2 much more comfortable. at least solely using the shoulder straps. I find the CTB starts to cut into my shoulders after a bit of wear, which sucks. The organization on the CTB is better but comfort is king IMO.
Good to know. I've carried the CTB a few times now, and really loaded up a couple of those, and I think it's been really comfortable, but I haven't carried it super long distance.
Dude!! You’re carrying your house in the bags my man!!! Great video!!!
I’ve had the CTB 35L since July and haven’t used it…was almost going to sell it. In fact; however, I’ve watched this video about x10 times, and I have decided to keep it. Gave my GR2 40L to my son…he loves that bag! The CTB 35L is a gem 💎
Do you ever find that the CTB hangs slightly to one side when on your back? Not fully plumb
Having both GORUCK and Evergoods products… Evergoods is a far more thought out product not to mention refined.
Goruck while being over built is a very dated concept, I rarely use my GR1 because the lack of organization and dedicated volume in the pouches.
BUT, what I use it or is a range bag… which is perfect for that.
Thanks for the comparison! With the 3 cube layout you used, is there still volume left in the mesh pocket of the ctb35 or does it become basically flat? Also how does the carry feel between these? I know the CTB is lighter but the straps don’t seem as robust as the gr2.
Hi! Not the OP, but I've owned the GR2 and now own the CTB35. One thing that Evergoods absolutely nailed is independent volume in their pockets (as the OP pointed out in his video). So even when parts of the CTB35 are stuffed, the rest of the pockets are still usable. The GR2 is the exact opposite as once you pack it out most of the pockets become useless. As far as comfort, the CTB35 is comfortable, but not as comfortable as the GR2, in my opinion.
If you're deciding on both it depends on your planned use. If you're going to be doing more rugged trips with heavier weight, I'd probably go GR2. If you're going to be doing more leisure travel through airplanes, cars, trains, etc, I'd definitely go with the CTB35.
Hey! The interior mesh pocket in the panel on the CTB shares interior volume with the main compartment. I didn't specifically test it out, but I'd really think when the main compartment is stuffed, there wouldn't be much capacity in the mesh pocket. Much like the panel pockets on the GR2.
On carry comfort, I haven't spent enough time with the CTB to say with certainty, but the CTB back panel is nicely padded and more breathable. The overall harness is a little more ergonomic. The shoulder straps are curved and made of a softer material and filled with a softer foam than the GR2. The GR2's back panel is pretty rigid and without much padding and little breathability. Having the sternum strap on the CTB will be really nice, but one can be added to the GR2, though I never did. I had a sternum strap on my GR1 and that made a huge difference for heavy carries.
Overall, the GORUCK packs are incredibly durable and carry like utility bags. The CTB carries more like a backpacking pack (especially with the built-in hip belt) than the GR2. It's an exchange of some softer (but still very durable) materials for comfort/ergos over the GR2. I don't think the carry capability is sacrificed. Neither are as capable of long distance carry as good as a dedicated backpacking pack. But these are more on the luggage/utility end of the spectrum. Hope that helps.
Great comparison video. Which 3 packing cubes did you have in the CTB35? Thanks
Amazon Basics and Dot&Dot (pretty generic) large (about 17.5 x 12.75 x 3 inches) packing cubes.
great video